• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2004

Background: A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a congenital anomaly commonly afflicting the pediatric population. However, it occurs more frequently in adults than is generally appreciated. To assess their characteristics, we have here compared and analyzed the clinical manifestations, causes, and outcomes of UPJ obstruction found in children and adults. Materials and Methods: 102 patients (118 renal units) out of 182 patients (218 renal units), with diagnosed UPJ obstruction, were available for follow up. The follow-ups were retrospectively reviewed to determine the presenting symptoms, treatments, and clinical outcomes. Patients who were younger than 18 years of age were assigned to the pediatric group (44 patients), others the adult group (58 patents). Results: The majority of the patients presented with flank pain (pediatric group: 68%, adult group: 76%). The majority of patients underwent a pyeloplasty (pediatric group: 50.9%, adult group: 62.3%). And the major cause of the UPJ obstruction was an intrinsic stenosis (pediatric group: 53%, adult group: 56%). Conclusion: The prevalence of bilateral UPJ obstruction in adults is evidently less prevalent than in pediatrics, and despite the late diagnosis, the surgical outcome is similar. A further investigation of UPJ obstruction will lead us to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.870-874
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• 2006

Purpose : Popular use of fetal ultrasonography has increased to detect congenital hydronephrosis(CH) which is the most common anomaly prenatally detected. We'd like to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of prenatally diagnosed CH and outcome of ureteropelvic junction stenosis(UPJS). Methods : The records of births between January 1994 and June 2003 in Chonnam National University Hospital(CNUH), and the records of children who were diagnosed with CH in the Department of Pediatrics of CNUH during the above period, were retrospectively analyzed. In the patients with UPJS, the initial anterior posterior diameters of renal pelvis(APD) were compared between the spontaneous regression (SR) and operation group(OP). In the SR group, sequential regression rates of APD were estimated. Results : Among a total 9,076 births, 231(2.54 percent) patients with 293 renal units were diagnosed as CH and 19(6.78 percent) renal units spontaneously regressed 3 days after birth. In 228 children(56 bilateral; 172 unilateral; total 284 renal units) diagnosed with CH in the department of pediatrics of CNUH, male(71.9 percent) and left kidney(69.2 percent) predilection were found and 78.1 percent of CH were caused by UPJS. The initial APD of the SR group(121 units) in UPJS was $7.8{\pm}6.28mm$, which was significantly smaller than the APD($26.8{\pm}12.14mm$) of the OP group(25 unit)(P<0.05). In the SR group, 81 percent spontaneously regressed within one year. Conclusions : In CH, male and left kidney predilection were found. UPJS was the most common cause of CH and initial APD in UPJS at 3 days of age was a good prognostic indicator. Close monitoring should be done for at least one year because most SR in UPJS regressed spontaneously within one year.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 1999

Purpose : It has been well known that urinary tract infection(UTI) in infants and children is frequently associated with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). However, the publishied papers dealing with congenital anomalies associated with UTI emphasized the importance of VUR only. The aim of our study was to evaluate the type, incidence and spectrum of urologic anomalies associated with UTI. Methods : Medical records of clinical, bacteriologic and radiologic study were assessed retrospectively in 65 infants or children with documented UTI who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Seoul Hospital from March 1996 to February 1998. Results : Spectrum of anomalies were associated with UTI as follows: VUR(n=23), both ectopic kidney(n=1), ureterovesical junction(UVJ) obstruction(n=1), multicystic dysplastic kidney(n=1), ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction with hydronephrosis(n=1), hutch diverticulum(n=1), UPJ stenosis(n=1), posterior urethral valve(n=1), urachal remnant(n=1) and bladder diverticula(n=1). Congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR were detected in 9 children among 65 patients with UTI(13.8%). 4 children among 9 congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR were combined with VUR. Sex distribution with congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR was more prevalent in male than female (7 males : 2 females). Age distribution at the time of UTI was less than 5 years in most patient (under 1 year in 1 patient, 1-2 year in 5 patients, 3-5 year in 1 patient, and above 5 year in 2 patients). And age distribution at the time of UTl associated with VUR was less than 5 years in most patient (under 1 year in 6 patients, 1-2 year in 8 patients, 3-5 year in 5 patients, and above 5 year in 4 patients), too Conclusion : Because congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR are seen in as high as 13.8% of patients, more careful evaluation of all possible congenital urinary anomalies as well as VUR is mandatory in pediatric patient with UTI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1213-1218
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• 2002

Purpose : Hydronephrosis constitutes a great portion of fetal anomalies screened by prenatal sonogram. The present authors made an attempt to access its natural courses through follow up neonatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by prenatal sonogram. Methods : The study was composed of 23 neonates(36 renal units) who were diagnosed with hydronephrosis through prenatal sonogram screening and confirmed 3-7 days after birth with sonographic evaluation at Kyung Hee University Hospital. The neonates were closely monitored for 12-24 months with renal sonogram, diuretic renogram, intravenous pyelography(IVP) and voiding cystoureterography(VCUG). Results : The underlying diseases were composed of 16 cases(44%) of functional abnormalities, 14 cases(39%) of ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction, three cases(8%) of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and on case each of multicystic dysplastic kidney, UPJ obstruction with ureteral stenosis and ureterovesical junction(UVJ) obstruction with VUR. The degree of hydronephrosis was divided into three classes according to its severity. In 30 renal units with UPJ obstruction and functional abnormalities, 26(87%) showed mild hydronephrosis, while four(13%) were moderate. During the follow up period, six cases(20%) showed natural resolution of hydronephrosis, 15 cases(50%) showed improvement while two cases(7%) were aggravated with improvement only after surgery of the underlying disease. The cases which showed natural resolution were all mild hydronephrosis at diagnosis and the cases which underwent surgery due to continuous aggravation were mild one case and moderate one case. Conclusion : Those with cases of mild hydronephrosis show rapid natural improvement. On the other hand, in some cases, follow up monitoring reveal aggravation of the situation, emphasizing the necessity for thorough follow up for a long period of time.